The GIANTS have added two of Canberra’s finest sportswomen to their AFL Women’s team for 2017.
Current Canberra United W-League captain Ellie Brush and former WNBA basketballer Jessica Bibby have been signed by the GIANTS as rookie players for the inaugural AFL Women’s competition.
28-year-old Brush has most recently played for the Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States where she has played 29 matches.
She has 94 W-League appearances under her belt with the ACT product captaining Canberra United for the past eight seasons.
The 165cm defender will appear in the upcoming 2016/2017 W-League season before joining the GIANTS for the AFL Women’s competition which will run from February to March.
GIANTS coach Tim Schmidt identified Brush as a potential starter for the inaugural AFL Women’s competition back in early 2016.
“We first saw Ellie at the National Talent Search the AFL did at the start of the year,” he said.
“Her results were amongst the very top on the day, but we were particularly impressed with her skills in the game.
“She is a very smooth mover around the ground with the skills to match.”
Joining her at the GIANTS is another Canberra star in Australian basketball legend Bibby who has played over 200 WNBL games and won several WNBL Championships.
Representing both the Dandenong Rangers and Canberra Capitals over her time, the 37-year-old was drafted by New York Liberty in the WNBA in 2000.
Bibby tried out at the GIANTS’ Athlete Talent Search in mid-August where her skills were on display.
“Jess was one of the standouts at our talent search and showed great athleticism and professionalism throughout the day,” Schmidt said.
“She was then one of the best on ground in the practice match at the State Combine a week ago which really solidified our decision to rookie-list her.”
Schmidt said he is excited to welcome two accomplished sportswomen to the GIANTS’ side.
“With both having been involved in elite programs before, we are really looking forward to having Ellie and Jess join our team,” he said.
“Both players have the skills to perform from a football perspective but they also bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the GIANTS.”
The GIANTS have now filled their two rookie spots for the upcoming season which are for players who have not played a game of community or state football in the past three years.
The latest pair join the club’s two marquee players and five priority players who have already been listed by the club. The remainder of the list will be finalised at the first ever AFL Women’s Draft on October 12 where the GIANTS hold the number one pick.
More than 500 fans have signed up to be Foundation Members of the women’s team ahead of next year’s competition with a unique opportunity to be there from the start and be part of history.
